7! 
On the Beautiful im the Grecian Statues. 415 
or defect; we obtain thereby an abstract idea of ex- 
cess or defect; we admit this as stillin some degree 
adhering even to the most perfect originals that we 
have seen ; we conceive that still more faultless 
examples. may be found in the vast field of human 
life ; and our imagination creates to itself a more 
perfect idea than our experience has presented. 
The result of the whole is this, every one has 
within him a standard of beauty, and this standard 
is acquired by every one from the same source, 
and is in all of a common character ; but will be 
more perfect, that is, more conformable to the 
truth of nature, as the field of observation has 
been more varied and extensive, as the attention 
has been more excited and directed to the inves- 
tigation of beauty, and as the objects of observa- 
tion have been in those circumstances, which are 
most favourable to the preservation and perfection 
of the human form, and wherein the original 
stamp and design of nature may be, either not at 
ali, or in the least degree, counteracted and in- 
jured by adventitious causes,” I pretend not to 
judge, whether in this investigation of the standard 
of beauty there be any thing of novelty or in- 
genuity ; it will be sufficient to my purpose, if it 
be agreeable to truth, and be pertinent to the 
second object of this essay ; and support the 
claim, which I assert for the Greeks, that in their 
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